December 12, 2012

Derek Holland and Matt Harrison had similar 2011 seasons. Holland went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA, while Harrison
went 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA.

Last year, though, Harrison progressed while Holland regressed. Harrison was the Rangers most consistent starter the
entire season, going 18-11 with a 3.29 ERA and was selected to the All-Star Game. Holland, on the other hand, was inconsistent
as he went 12-7 with a 4.67 ERA.

Now, Holland hopes his 2013
season is similar to Harrison’s 2012.

“I’d like to do what he did last year,” said Holland, speaking at a
Cowboy Santas Toy Drive event at Rangers Ballpark on Tuesday.

“Harry did a great job for us, I don’t think he got enough
credit. He was the most consistent pitcher and accomplished a lot for us. I’m
using a lot of what he did as motivation. … Last year was not a really good
year.”

Holland
has already begun his preparations for next season, which started by meeting with
team president and CEO Nolan Ryan around Thanksgiving. Holland tracked Ryan down at his office and
the two talked about what he could improve upon.

Location was at the center of the discussion, as Holland’s worst starts
came when he had poor location. Holland
gave up 32 home runs last season, but homers aren’t all that bad if they are
limited to solo shots.

Holland
and Ryan also talked about being more consistent start to start. Holland has a tendency to
put together a couple good starts followed by a bad outing.

“I never stayed on the same path,” Holland said. “I need to figure out a way
when I’m not having a good game to still get those corners and work away from
the middle of the plate.”